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(Raja Asghar, Dawn News ISLAMABAD) Two main opposition parties in the National Assembly protested on Friday against a death sentence passed on Thursday by a Lahore court against a Christian man before the uproar was cut short by the deputy speaker belonging to the ruling party.

Shirin Mazari of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and then Shazia Marri of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) complained of persecution of minority communities in the country, particularly on trumped up blasphemy charges as, they alleged, had happened in Lahore a year ago when more than 3,000 people rampaged through a Christian colony and burned some 100 homes after a Christian was accused by a Muslim friend of committing blasphemy during a conversation.

After lawmakers of the two parties seemed unconvinced by a statement by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N’s young member Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, son of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, about the concern showed by the provincial administration over the March 7, 2013 incident and help given to the sufferers of the Joseph Colony neighbourhood, Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi disallowed any more discussion on the Lahore court verdict before adjourning the house.

The convict, Sawan Masih, who heard the sentence of death and a fine of Rs200,000 inside a jail, has claimed innocence and cited a property dispute with his friend as the real reason for the blasphemy allegation.

Ms Mazari called it a travesty of justice that people who burned the colony in Lahore were released on bail while one man tried for a disputed charge had been sentence to death as she also spoke of persecution of minorities in general such as kidnapping of members of Hindu community in Sindh and blasphemy charges brought against Christians mostly in Punjab.

She kept on agitating the issue even after the deputy speaker tried to restrain her, disputing his choice of words in calling the case sub judice even after an additional district and sessions judge, Chaudhry Ghulam Mustaf, delivered his verdict on Thursday and while an appeal to a higher court was yet to be made.

“We are disappointed, we are disturbed,” yelled Ms Marri, before she saw her mike switched off, and then restored briefly, before the chair gave the floor to Mr Hamza Sharif to recall his father’s orders after the incident to rebuild the destroyed Christian homes “within one night” and compensate the sufferers even for losses of jewellery made for weddings, and to assure the house that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice.

But members of the PPP and PTI seemed unsatisfied and several of them stood up in their seats apparently preparing for a protest walkout while the floor was given to a Jamaat-i-Islami member, Sher Akbar Khan, the chair cited little time left for the Friday prayers to immediately adjourn the house for a two-day weekend until 4pm on Monday.

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(On March 27, 2014, Nasir Saeed: CLAAS) Additional session judge Chaudhry Ghulam Murtaza sentenced Savan Masih to death after finding him guilty of blasphemy, and also ordered him to pay a fine of 200,000 Pakistani rupees. This is the punishment for someone found guilty of committing blasphemy against the prophet. CLAAS’s lawyers Naeem Shakir, Tahir Bashir and Nasir Anjum were present in the prison court room alongside Savan. The trial was conducted in prison as CLAAS-PK Director, Joseph Francis, keeping in view the situation, had expressed his apprehension that Savan’s life could be in danger, so he requested the case to be heard in jail for Savan’s safety. This is not the only blasphemy case where this has happened, there are other examples including the trial of Younis Masih. Several blasphemy law victims have been killed during their hearings, including Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Emmanuel who were killed by extremists in broad daylight in front of hundreds of people in the district court’s compound in Faisalabad, in 2010. Mr Francis has expressed his grief and disappointment over Savan Masih’s verdict as he was very optimistic and expecting an acquittal. He said discussions would begin immediately and that an appeal would be lodged on Saturday in the hope of getting the decision overturned soon. Savan Masih was convicted of insulting the prophet Muhammad last March during a conversation with his Muslim friend. He was accused of blasphemy for allegedly saying “Jesus is true, he is the son of the God. He will come to save me while Muslims’ Prophet (PBUH) is fake”. Savan Masih denied the charges against him asserting that he had said nothing in respect of the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and that false accusations were made against him because of a property dispute. Savan Masih has been in jail since his arrest in March last year. Savan stayed courageous as the verdict was read and remains strong in his faith, believing that the appeal will be successful as he has done nothing wrong. Meanwhile his family also remain strong in their faith and are hopeful that the decision will be overturned by the grace of God. After the accusation, the whole Christian town of St. Joseph colony- Badami Bagh, Lahore was torched by a Muslim mob and Christians had to flee. The police silently watched while the Muslim protestors stole valuable possessions and destroyed Christians’ homes. Nasir Saeed, Director CLAAS-UK, said that blasphemy laws are being misused to settle person scores.He added: “Unfortunately the blasphemy law has become a powerful tool in the hands of extremists and is continually being used to attack churches, burn down Christian towns and villages and also kill innocent people.” He also said that this law has several flaws and is incompatible with human rights, prompting calls from the international community on several occasions to amend these laws. Mr Saeed concluded: “The government is under pressure from extremist groups and hesitates to bring this matter to the parliament.” He further stated that a week ago a Hindu temple and other properties in Larkana- Sindh were torched and a man was taken into police custody without any proof that he had burnt the Holy Quran. He has not yet been charged under the blasphemy law. Religious minorities, and particularly Christians, are living under constant fear of their lives and secretly migrating to different countries to save their lives. The international community has a responsibility to question the Pakistani government about the deteriorating situation of human rights and minorities in Pakistan.

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Many thanks for your prayers for the hearing of Asiya Bibi and Savan Masih, Aasia Bibi’s appeal hearing was canceled as the Judge has gone on holiday but Savan Masih’s hearing went well. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the case, the hearing was conducted inside the jail and CLAAS’ lawyers Tahir Bashir and Naeem Shakir were present there. The next date for the hearing is fixed for the 22nd march and we are hoping that the judge will be able to reach a verdict. If God willingly, the hearing is conducted on the 22nd, and if the judge is courageous and due diligence is applied, we are hoping that Savan will be acquitted. Savan Masih was arrested last year in March 2013 after blasphemy accusations were made against him. Savan Masih has since been in camp jail, Lahore, while his family is being looked after by CLAAS.After the accusation, the whole Christian town of St. Joseph colony- Badami Bagh, Lahore was torched by the Muslim mob and Christians had to flee. The police silently watched while the Muslim protestors stole valuable possessions and destroyed Christians’ homes. Unfortunately, the blasphemy law has become a powerful tool in the hands of the extremist and is continually being used to attack churches and burn down Christian towns and villages and also kill innocent christians without giving them a chance to prove their innocence. Sadly, the government has still failed to bring the perpetrators to justice. CLAAS is among the organisations who are campaigning to repeal this controversial law or at least bring about appropriate changes to stop its misuse. The international community has also called for changes to these laws to be made and also to stop its misuse against religious minorities but it is all falling on the governments deaf ears. CLAAS’s lawyers will be present in camp jail on 22nd march during the hearing. Please pray that everything goes well and that the case is decided in Savan’s favour so that he can be reunited with his wife and children. Please pray that the judges will have the strength and wisdom to make the right decision free from prejudice and with clean, open hearts. Please pray that God will fill the hearts of the judge with a sense of urgency and compassion. Pray that pressure will be brought upon the Pakistani government to modify the Blasphemy Law and also pray that the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ will unite and remember to pray for the Persecuted Church and be filled with an urgency to intensify its prayers for brothers and sisters who are suffering, at a time when hostility towards the Christian faith worldwide is intensifying.
We ask that you pray that God will bring healing and restoration to Savan, Aasia, Zaffar Bhatti and all other victims of blasphemy law whose cases are under trials so that they can be assured that their faith has brought them to a successful outcome.
Nasir Saeed CLAAS